Auxiliary starter and ignition circuit arrangement with voltage and polarity selection



3,357,413 EMENT Dec. 12, 1967 v. c. GOODMAN AUXILIARY STARTER AND IGNITION CIRCUl'l ARRAN WITH VOLTAGE AND POLARITY SELECTION Filed Aug. 29, 1966 S ARTER SOLENOID con.

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INVENTOR VIRGIL C. GOODMAN av w ATTORNEY Uaitc im Pm t 3,357 418 t I AUXILIARY STARTER Aim I IGNITION CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT WITH VOLTAGE AND POLAR- ITY SELECTION Virgil C. Goodman, Greenville, Mo assiguortof onethird to Lacy K. Ragan, Greenyille, Mo., and one-third to Oliver A. Morris, Fredericktown, Mo. 7- a I Filed Aug..Z,. -I19,66, SenNo. 575,615 6 Claims. (Cl. 123-179) This invention relates in general tostarter systems and, more particularly, to auxiliary starters for an internal combustion eiigine for automotive vehicles.

a It is an object of the present invention to provide an aiixiliary starter town internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle which is adapted for connection to vsaid engine, but. for controlled operation at a point remote from the vehicle. I I v It is another object of the present invention to proan auxiliary, starter of the character stated which is adapted for facile connection to an engine and which isuniquely designed for equally eflicient operation with a multiplicity of vehicularelectrical circuit systems, so as to be usable with various types, makes and models of automobiles. p, v v I, V

It is further 'obj'e ct of the present invention to provide an auxiliary starter of the character stated which can be utilized in electrical circuits of different volta'ge, as Well as those wherein the same have either a positive or negative ground.

, It is another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary starter of the type stated which can be easily utilized by the average motorist for starting a stalled engine, as for instance, on a highway or other inconvenient location. I

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a starter of the character stated, which is adapted for utilization by mechanics as for engine timing purposes, repair, etc.

, It is another object of the present invention to pro vide an auxiliary starter of the character stated which may be most economically produced; which is quite compact for ease of portability; which incorporates relatively durable components so as to be capable of heavy usage without breakdown; and which is reliable in use.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing (1 sheet) wherein 7 FIGURE 1 is, a front elevational view of an auxiliary starter constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 isan elev-ational view of the rear side of the cover plate of the auxiliary starter.

FIGURE 3 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the auxiliary starter.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates an auxiliary starter for use with the internal combustion engines of automotive vehicles, comprising a housing or box of rectangular cross section, having a cover plate 1, the outer face of which constitutes a control panelfor the operating elements of the switches of the present invention. Said panel has controls thereon for a spring-loaded starter switch of the button type 2 and an ignition switch 3, a starter selector switch 4, and a voltage selector switch 3,357,418 .a We Pee We? 5, which latter are of toggle cli'gil'actelri. Also,

the cover plate 1 is an pening fi for extension there through of a leadass'einbly indicated enerally ame d comprisingfour leads 8, 9 '0, 11 said leads 8,12 being respectively connected by me presently to be descrjbed to starter switch 2 and volt 'selectdr switch 5," while leads} 10, 11 are suitably connected to starter selector switch 4. Each or said 16mg 3, 9,; 10, 1 1 ar rovided at theii outer or free ends with a ilexible-s'hielded; springloaded clip 12, which clips may be of different colors to facilitate identification of the leadsfor ready connection purposes. From an exterior standpoint,auxiliary s'tarter A comprises the housing which m ay beeasily gripped within one hand having the control panel. provided on cover plate 1 presented for eas manipulationof the switch elements and with the four leads projecting outwardly so thatft'he user has a relatively compact unit for conducing to facile usage. 7 i, p I I As shown in FIGURE Z, t corhponents the circult of the said auxiliary starter maybe suitably mounted upon the inner ,orreafi face of eofv'er plate 1, so that upon removal of the latter from the adjacent portions of the housing; the circuitry is presented for ready inspection v t The circuit of the present invention may be best de scribed by reference to thediagrarn set forth in FIG- URE 3. The button of starter switch 2 is adapted when depressed to engage a pair of contacts 13, 14, said former being connected to lead 8; which latter is adapted through operation of clip 12 to be brought into circuit with the solenoid coil of the" starter motor (not shown) of the vehicle upon which auxiliary starter A is being used. Contact 14 is connected to starter selector switch 4 by a conductor 15. Said starter selector switch 4 is of double pole character being selectivelyengaged to, or engageable with contacts 16, 17; said former being in circuit with the lead 10 for connection by its related clip 12 to ground, while said contact 17 is co'nriectable through lead 11 by its related clip 12 w ne battery of the vehicle. Said contact 17 is also connected by a conductor 18 to one pole 19 of ignition switch 3; the other pole of said switch being indicated at 20. Ignition switch 3 is connected by wire 21 to a post 22 to which are engaged parallel conductors 23, 24, the opposite ends of which terminate in poles or contacts 25, 26, respectively, of voltage selector switch 5.

Provided within conductor 24 is a resistor R of the ballast type, and which is carried within a housing 27 mounted on the rear face of cover plate 1. Voltage selector switch 5, as indicated above, is connected by lead 9 to the ignition coil of the vehicle.

In utilizing auxiliary starter A with electrical system of the internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, it must be first determined from a study of the said electrical system whether the same is grounded on the negative or positive side of the vehicle battery. If the car frame, as in older models, is grounded on the negative side, then the user will operate starter selector switch 4 to engage contact 16. If, as in vehicles of more recent manufacture, the electrical system of the vehicle is grounded on the positive side of the battery, then the user of the present invention will close starter selector switch 4 through contact 17. As indicated above, clips 12 on the end of the various leads of lead assembly 7 will be con nected to the various components of the vehicle starter system with lead 8 being connected to the solenoid for the starter motor; lead 9 to the ignition coil; and leads 19, 11 to ground and to the battery, respectively. The operator must'then determine the car voltage for energizing the starter motor as well as for the purpose of the intended operation. Accordingly, if the vehicle incorporates a 12 volt ignition system, then obviously voltage selector switch will be operated so as to close the circuit through contact 26, whereas if a lower voltage, such as 6 volts is required, then voltage selector switch 5 will be operated to close the circuit through contact 25, It is to be pointed out that the particular voltages for which auxiliary starter A may be used can be readily determined, but for purposes of example herein, l2 and 6 volts have been utilized. The operator must then close ignition switch 3,-which is adapted to be moved in either on or off position, and by such closing will bring the switch blade into circuit closing relationship with contact 19. There then remains the simple operation of pressing starter button 2 inwardly so as to close the circuit between contacts 13 and 14, resulting in flow of current for energizing the vehicle starter solenoid coil with ultimate energization of the starter motor.

It will be seen that auxiliary starter A may be quite easily utilized by a mechanic or by the average motorist with minimum instruction.

The foregoing will make apparent that the starter of the present invention has myriad uses. By connecting same to the vehicle electrical system, a mechanic will avoid the dangers of accidental start-up of the vehicle motor, while he is working under the hood of the car. Additionally, while effecting adjustments and repairs, a mechanic may start the engine or turn same off from his working position, and there is obviated the necessity of manipulating the dashboard controls. Also, the vehicle engine may, through operation of the present invention, be turned over without starting, for compression tests and the like. Also, it is obvious that auxiliary starter A may be utilized by a motorist when there has been an accidental malfunction in the vehicle starter system.

As indicated above, auxiliary starter A is exceedingly compact, and can be readily held and manipulated in one hand. Auxiliary starter A constitutes a remote control device which is connected to the engine circuit to by-pass the dashboard switches and thereby permit control of the operation of the engine by an individual working on the engine, etc. The utilization of the present invention for various purposes in testing and checking the electrical circuit of a vehicle is evident.

The versatility of starter A is indeed of exceeding importance in that it is adapted to be utilized with electrical systems wherein the vehicles have either a positive or a negative ground. The simple operation of starter selector switch 4 assures the user of the eiiective operation of starter A with either type of ground so that the said starter is usable with a multiplicity of vehicles. Furthermore, said starter incorporates the novel voltage selector switch 5 which permits utilization of the said starter with ignition systems having varying voltages, whereby the usefulness of the present invention is markedly enhanced. The incorporation of the ballast resistor R for use on 12 volt systems is that at low engine speeds, the current flows for relatively longer periods of time which tends to cause heating of the resistor with attendant elevation of its resistance and reduction of current flow. Such action tends to maintain the primary winding of the coil in a relatively cool state. At higher speeds, the current flows for relattively shorter periods of time, which permits the resistor to cool and thereby increases the current flow in the primary winding of the coil. Such action permits maximum secondary voltage to be obtained. On the other hand, in a 6 volt ignition system, as by utilizing conductor 23, the ballast resistor R is by-passed since there is not the problem with current flow as the 12 voltage systems. Additionally, ballast resistor R protects the vehicle motor when running and prevents burning of the points.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangements, and combination of the several parts of the auxiliary starter may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having a battery, an ignition coil and a starter solenoid, an auxiliary starter comprising means defining a housing, a starter switch mounted on said housing, a two-position starter selector switch mounted on said housing, a two-position ignition switch mounted on saidhousing, a voltage selector switch mounted on said housing, a first lead for connecting said starter switch to the starter solenoid, a first conductor connecting said starter switch and said starter selector switch, a second conductor connecting said starter selector switch and said ignition switch, leads connecting said ignition switch to opposite sides of said voltage selector switch, and means for connecting said voltage selector switch to the ignition coil of the vehicle.

2. An auxiliary starter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized by said starter selector switch having first and second positions, a third lead connecting said first position to ground, a fourth lead connecting said second position to the battery.

3. An auxiliary starter as defined in claim 2, and further characterized by a resistor provided in one of said leads connecting said ignition switch to one side of said voltage seletcor switch. 7

4. An auxiliary starter as defined in claim 3, and further characterized by said ignition switch having first and second positiona said first position being in circuit opened condition and said second position being in circuit closed condition. y

5. An auxiliary starter as defined in claim 4, and further characterized by a detachable clip provided on the end of each of said first, second, third and fourth leads, for engagement, respectively, to the startersolenoid, the ignition coil, ground, and the battery.

6. For use with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having a battery, an ignition coil, and a starter solenoid in the electrical circuit system thereof, an auxiliary starter comprising:

(1) means defining a housing,

(2) at least four flexible leads extending from said housing,

(3) a plurality of detachable clips mounted on the distal end of each of said leads,

(4) a first lead for connection to said starter solenoid,

(5) a second lead for connection to said ignition coil,

(6) a third lead for connection to said battery,

(7) a fourth lead for connection to ground,

(8) a starter switch mounted on said housing,

(9) a two-position starter selector switch mounted on said housing,

(10) a pair of first contacts arranged to be closed by the operation of said starter switch:

(a) conductor means connecting one of said first contacts to said first lead, (b) conductor means connecting the other of said first contacts to said starter selector switch, (11) a pair of second contacts arranged to be closed alternatively by said two-position starter selector switch:

(a) conductor means connecting one of said second contacts to said fourth lead, (b) conductor means connecting the other of said second contacts to said third lead,

(12) an ignition switch mounted on said housing,

(13) a third contact for engagement by said ignition switch,

(14) conductor means connecting said third contact to one of said second contacts,

(15) a two-position voltage selector switch mounted on said housing, said voltage selector switch being connected to said second lead,

(16) a pair of fourth contacts for engagement alternatively by said two-position voltage selector switch,

(17) conductor means connecting each of said fourth contacts to said ignition switch, and

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1939 Weston 123148 2/1963 Wright 123-179 WENDELL E. BURNS, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE OF A VEHICLE HAVING A BATTERY, AN IGNITION COIL AND A STARTER SOLENOID, AN AUXILIARY STARTER COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING A HOUSING, A STARTER SWITCH MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING, A TWO-POSITION STARTER SELECTOR SWITCH MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING, A TWO-POSITION IGNITION SWITCH MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING, A VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING, A FIRST LEAD FOR CONNECTING SAID STARTER SWITCH TO THE STARTER SOLENOID, A FIRST CONDUCTOR CONNECTING SAID STARTER SWITCH AND SAID STARTER SELECTOR SWITCH, A SECOND CONDUCTOR CONNECTING SAID STARTER SELECTOR SWITCH AND SAID IGNITION SWITCH, LEADS CONNECTING SAID IGNITION SWITCH TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH TO THE IGNITION COIL OF THE VEHICLE. 